Tomorrow (December 7th) at 1:00pm the downtown core will be filled with floats, music, and a visit from the big guy himself during the Rogers Santa Claus Parade.
Photo credit:
w_yvr on Flickr
There’s always quite the crowd (rain or shine) so you may want to stake out your spot a bit early.
“With a longer parade route, there will be great viewing all along the route but especially: On both sides of Georgia Street on the slope between Bute and Broughton, at the Vancouver Art Gallery, or at Robson Square on Howe Street.” – [Rogers Santa Claus Parade]
As per previous years, they will be collecting donations for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society. Also if you live in the area or will be getting around the city, here’s a list of road closures from the City of Vancouver:
6:00am to 3:00pm
Alberni St from Cardero St to Jervis St
Nicola St and Broughton St from W. Georgia St to Robson St
7:00am to 5:00pm
Hornby St from Davie St to Pacific St
Drake St from Howe St to Burrard St
11:30am to 4:30pm (approximately)
W. Georgia St from W. Pender St to Seymour St (All streets crossing W. Georgia St will be diverted)
Howe St from Dunsmiur St to Drake St (All streets crossing Howe St will be diverted)
[Related: My parade post from November 2007 with a few tips and suggestions]
This is it, the official announcement. Well actually, we just made the official announcement on the WordCamp Whistler website but it’s true, it’s going to happen.
With the venue booked, keynote secured, website and social media streams in place, we’re ready to officially announce WordCamp Whistler 2009, happening January 24th.
Check out the speaker page, add your own submission to become a speaker, find out more about sponsorship, and check back for blog updates. You can also follow the action with the RSS feed or by adding @WCWhistler on Twitter.
The official conference tag (for Flickr photos or blog posts) is wordcampwhistler09.
Browse the site, get all the info you need, ask some questions, and register through Eventbrite. There is a fee for this conference but since we’ll be in a world-class location with top notch speakers, we think it’s worth it (and we’ll even throw in some lovely swag as well).
My snowboard boots are already by the door – right next to my laptop. I hope to see everyone there for this amazing weekend of WordPress geekery, networking, and good times.
We’re pretty excited and I’d personally like to thank Duane for securing the fantastic venue – the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort. Check the WCWhistler website for updates and blog posts as we finalize some of the other details including sponsorships.
Update December 19, 2008: The new Robson Safeway is now open.
It’s been just over a year since the Safeway on Robson and Denman closed down. People have started to get excited about its re-opening as signage is put in place, windows are being set and polished, and there’s a career ad on Craigslist for a resident sushi chef.
The new building is pretty impressive and it looks as though there’s even a balcony portion up top, as side rails are in place outdoors on the second level.
Since the Safeway shut down, two Urban Fare locations have sprung up in Coal Harbour; there was one on Hastings and Bute, and another opened last month on Alberni near Thurlow. I’m not sure if regular Safeway-ers headed over there, or if they’ll come back with the re-opening. Side note: This also makes me wonder how Save On Foods on Cambie will be affected when Whole Foods opens up across the street.
I’ve kind of missed the Safeway although with it being gone we have been encouraged to check out many more small, independent grocers. We love the Robson Market for produce, and also get meat at the butcher shop, then there’s also a European deli on Bidwell. I don’t think we’ll stop going to these places at all when the new Safeway opens up – it’s just nice to have options.
Update: The store will be open in “preview mode” December 18th at 4:00pm and will have its official opening Friday, December 19th.
In just two days the Bear Creek Park Christmas Train will ride again for this holiday season. From December 6th until January 4th you and the kiddies can ride this miniature railroad through the woods, in and out of tunnels, and around lighted paths and decorations.
The train is $4.00 for children and $4.50 for adults and is a great alternative to the mayhem that is the Bright Nights Train in Stanley Park (based on crowds, line ups, and ticket prices). The kids also get a free candy cane, reindeer antlers, and “reindeer food” to leave out for Santa’s crew on Christmas Eve.
Also, in case you’d like something a bit more active, they’ve opened up a 18-hole mini golf course near the train. I’m a sucker for mini golf. It’s open through January and with this weather, it seems like it won’t be snowed out any time soon.
Bear Creek Park is located just off 88th Avenue, between King George Hwy and 140th [Google Map].
As of midnight December 4th, voting is now open for the Best of 604 people’s choice awards for their favourite sites and blogs in the region.
Quick Facts:
Voting will be open until 12:00pm December 11th.
You may vote once in each of the 14 categories.
Prizes so far include: A gift pack from Kiss My Face, Cromwell & Cruthers, Yardley, and J.R. Watkins for each category winner, along with separately sponsored prizes such as two tickets to an Arts Club production, two passes for a Social Bites dinner, hand-crafted items from Magic Woodworks, jewelry from Sheila Christie, two Vancouver Giants tickets (from Canucks and Beyond), gift certificates for Howie’s Bistro and Bar, tshirts and (EA) Xbox games from 6S Marketing, passes to Mount Seymour… and more!
More sponsors are still welcome.
Results will be announced at the awards reception.
Admission is by any (monetary) donation to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society.
Big thank you to The Cellar for hosting the awards reception, which will take place at 6:00pm on December 11th. Please RSVP on the Eventbrite page, even if you’ve spotted the event listing on Facebook or Upcoming as well.
Good luck everyone, I’m really looking forward to getting together, supporting a great cause, and celebrating all of your very hard work.
